BINZA STAKE CONFERENCE & RETURNED MISSIONARY REUNION

Moons and Billings at the Missionary Reunion, Sunday 18h00 GB Seminary and Institute Building.  At this meeting a talk was given about the Construction Education program taught by Elder Billings, for returned missionaries, and the requirements to enter the program.

Returned missionary gathering. After the main instruction everyone has fun meeting the newly weds since the last meeting, the engaged couples, the latest babies, and the election of new officers. There is a lot of joking and happy conversation. Much of the humor goes over my head, mainly because I can't hear it over the din, and laughter.

New officer election results, counting ballots. Sister in the middle 80 year old and is here with her daughter and son-in-law who is in charge of the construction department at LDS Temporal Affairs. Man on the left is our Bishop Aime Ngoy. Man on the right is Tomy who also works at Temporal Affairs, and is a counselor in the Stake Presidency, who has been serving as president of the returned missionary association.

The buffet spread after the two hour meeting. Barbecued chicken,  salted fish, sausage, beef shiskebob, amaranth, cabbage coleslaw, french fries, plantains, manioc, cake, and drinks.

Area 70 Kiungu and wife to the left of the Stake President, Russell Mbaya, choir to the far left, The area 70 is head of CES. He delivers a powerful message and his wife bore a touching testimony.

Congregation. After the meeting we were invited to attend a short question and answer session with invited local officials and new members within the last year. Binza Stake's was recently created and this is their first conference. A recent convert said isn't this an American Church and  asked when an African will be called to be an apostle. Elder Kiungu said the Lord chooses whom he will, The Church is young in Africa. It may be a generation or two. He is a general authority, member of the quorum of the 70 who do the work at the bidding of the twelve apostles who cannot be everywhere. Then he asked if they could name a white Bishop, or Stake President in the Congo. There are none. 

Congregation and choir. You should hear them sing. We are barely visible, the only anglos, front row left.

Our guide and mentor, Olivier. We really love him.

Before the meeting started.

A young boy curious about my Ipad. I took his picture with it and showed it to him. Like many children everywhere, they love to have their picture taken. Often members will ask us to pose with them while they have someone take a picture of them with us.